Yukiya Amano, Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) arrived Sri Lanka on 14 March 2018 for a one-day official visit on an invitation extended by Government of Sri Lanka and he departed on 16 March after completion of his successful one-day visit.Director General Amano together with Hon. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Minister of Power and Renewable Energy, Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, Chairman, Members of the Board, Director General of Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board and some other respective officials, inspected the new laboratory complex of Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board in Orugodawaththa, Wellampitiya.

He also visited to National Center for Non Destructive Testing (NCNDT) which is established with the IAEA Technical support. This center provides services using common Non Destructive Testing services especially to the industrial sector.

At the NDT Centre, DG Amano addressed the gathering of scientific and technical staff of Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board and Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council. In his speech he mentioned that his visit to Sri Lanka is important as he could view the activities of Sri Lanka related to the nuclear technology and to share knowledge with Sri Lanka on behalf of IAEA. He also mentioned that recently the IAEA celebrated its 60th Anniversary and most of countries concerned about how to use nuclear technology for better life of people. Utilization of nuclear technology in the fields of human health, food and agriculture, energy planning etc. was emphasized in his speech. DG Amano further adding his speech mentioned about the importance of the acceptance of convention on physical protection of nuclear material in Sri Lanka.

DG Amano especially mentioned that during his tenure as DG, he changed the motto of IAEA as "Atoms for Peace & Development "in order to give high priority to the development dimension of the mandate of the IAEA.

Hon. Ajith P. Perera, State Minister of Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy also addressed the gathering and he emphasized the benefits acquired by the country through IAEA technical assistance. He mentioned that "Chronic Kidney Disease is a one of the burning issue in the north central area of the country and still real cause for this decease has not been identified. Several Research and development Groups worked together to look into the cause for this disease and SLAEB is also contributing this research work. In addition, the SLAEB is getting involved in finding portable water resources in the affected area by using isotope hydrology techniques which was developed through IAEA assistance".

He also mentioned that Sri Lanka Expects the technical assistance in order to establish and, maintain of proposed Cyclotron Facility to be established in Sri Lanka so as to produce radiopharmaceutical in the country. Minster greatly acknowledged the assistance afforded by Office of Legal Affairs of IAEA in order to formulate the new Nuclear Law named "Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Act No. 40 of 2014" replacing the previous statute which was enacted in 1969.

DG Amano and IAEA delegation had a very fruitful bilateral discussion with Sri Lankan delegation comprising of Hon. State Minister of Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, Chairman and Director General of Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board, Chairman and Director General of Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory council and officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to further strengthen our relationship with IAEA.

Director General Amano also visited Sri Lanka Gamma Center of Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board which is also a one of the important scientific centers established with collaboration of IAEA which is situated in Biyagama Export Processing Zone of Sri Lanka. This Centre sterilizes the Surgical Gloves which are locally manufactured and supplies the total requirement of the surgical gloves of the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka which leads towards to saves Billions of foreign exchange annually.

During his one day visit he also met Hon. Wasantha Senanayaka, Acting Minister of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and had important bilateral discussion for further collaboration with IAEA.Finally, the DG Amano had a television interview and pressinterview which focused on the IAEA role and its future work with the change of its motto as "Atoms for Peace and Development".